Author Topic: HP Photosmart 7450 (Read 3126 times)

momad30044 · « **on:** May 04, 2005, 23:44 »

I bought a HP Photosmart 7450 today, to replace my very sad and no longer working HP Deskjet 722C. The employee that sold it to me said I'd be thrilled with the quality and ease of setup. The first part of the install directions said to buy a USB cable. I have two USB ports on my HP Pavilion 9600 hard drive. One is being used by the mouse, the other by my digital camera. Is there any way around this?

Many thanks,

Debbie

joudi · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2005, 00:10 »

There's a device called "USB HUB" to multiply usb connection ports.

I've never used any. But if my memory is good, and according to Sandra (she'll be here to give more details), you can multiply the connection till six in each original USB port of your PC.

Wait a while, Sandra is coming soon, or someone else.

Just to show you what does that device look like, you can click this link:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/usb_hubs.html

Sandra · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2005, 00:54 »

If you buy a hub Debbie buy a mains powered one in preference to one thats powered soley off the USB ports.
In theory you can have up to 127 usb devices plugged in at the same time, although I dont know anyone who would want so many

The problem with usb powered hubs is that each usb port on the pc can only provide 500ma and if you run say a printer and a scanner then they can both use almost the maximum available so if you have a mains powered hub its going to run more things without overloading the pcs usb ports

momad30044 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2005, 18:21 »

I went to Best Buy today and the salesperson convinced me that I'd be ok with just a USB cable and to unhook the digital camera when not in use.

Here's what I have so far: HP Photosmart 7450 and a HP ScanJet 5200C scanner. Apparently, I can hook the printer directly to the hard drive with the USB cable, but that cuts the scanner out as there are no USB ports on the scanner (I'm using parallel ports) or parallel ports on the new printer.

Is there anything I can buy to hook the scanner to the new printer?

Sure didn't realize that by buying a new printer, nothing else would work!

Thanks,

Debbie

Sandra · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2005, 18:33 »

Hes corect Debbie, I thought that you wanted to be able to keep all your usb devices connected but if you are happy to unplug one and plug another in then you dont need a hub, after all thats really what usb was used for as its "hot swappable" and doesnt need the pc to be rebooted to connect or disconnect a usb device.
Usually a parellel port printer has less problems than a usb one.
All you should have to do to be able to scan directly to the printer is install the software that came with your scanner and it should have options for scan to file, scan direct to email or to the printer.
Did you get some software on a cd when you got the scanner, along with the drivers ?

momad30044 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2005, 00:12 »

First I want to thank you all for your help...what a nice service you provide!

It seems that my new printer (HP Photosmart 7450) may not be compatible with my quite old scanner (HP ScanJet 5200C).

Is my only choice to return the HP Photosmart and buy a printer/scanner?
I've a computer repair person friend who says it's a BAD idea because it's got more parts to break.

Again, thanks.

Debbie

Sandra · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2005, 01:08 »

I would normally agree with your friend Debbie, I have never liked all in one gadgets whether its scanner/printers, Hi Fi systems or TVs with a DVD or a VCR in them.
Having said that I know a few people with all in ones and they seem to be quite happy with them, especially when space is at a premium and they are getting to be quite cheap in comparison to buying a seperate scanner and printer.

I cant see why you cant scan to the hard drive with your old scanner and then print out to your new printer from whichever folder you scanned into.
It may be that it has a problem with scanning directly to the printer as a compatability issue but seeing as theyre both HP then I would doubt that.
Have you got the latest drivers/software from HP for your scanner and printer ?

Simon · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2005, 10:04 »

If you are looking for an inexpensive all-in-one, Debbie, I can recommend the Epson CX3600, which is available from Comet online for £65.79, with free delivery.

Clive · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2005, 10:17 »

Yes, I bought one on Simon's recommendation and they are as good as he claims. What's even better is that we have a very cheap source of cartridges for them!

momad30044 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2005, 22:54 »

Problem solved! Turns out our old printer ran to the scanner, and the scanner ran to the hard drive. When I was trying to explain this to the "computer professional" who was all of 15 at Circuit City, he said it was impossible. I bought the USB hub you recommended, set it all up, the printer works, the scanner works, and I'm really happy!

Thanks again,

Debbie

Sandra · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2005, 23:50 »

Nice to know its working Debbie, I have only seen your old type of setup once before, as its quite an old way to do things.
I think the one I saw was the opposite way round though, scanner to printer then printer to pc, all via parallel cable
Thats probably why the (presumably) pizza faced techician would have said it was impossible as they went out of fashion when he was still in his nappies